Minister Joly Hints Ottawa Seeking Free Trade With China

Minister of Industry Melanie Joly talks to reporters in Beijing, on Jan. 15, 2026. Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press1/15/2026|Updated: 1/15/2026Industry Minister Mélanie Joly says Canada should pursue free trade with other countries, including China, in the face of rising U.S. protectionism.Joly made the comment in Beijing on Jan. 15 after a day of meetings in the Chinese capital, which included the signing of bilateral agreements and a meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese Premier Li Qiang.Noé Chartier is a senior reporter with the Canadian edition of The Epoch Times. Twitter: @NChartierETAuthor’s Selected Articles